Don Taylor Allen

Don Taylor Allen, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2024 in Amarillo, TX. 

Don was born on February 28, 1943 in Claude, Texas to Cleston C. and Opal Allen. He was the youngest of three children. He grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas where he was active in sports and played in the state championship finals as a member of the Wichita High School football team his junior year and senior year. Don went on to play football for Texas Tech University. He received his bachelor’s degree in Education with a minor in Biology from Texas Tech, and his Masters in Education from Southwestern State College in Oklahoma. Don became a teacher and coach, for which he had a true passion. By the time he retired from teaching, Don had taught and coached at four different schools. Decades later, it was not uncommon for former students to recognize and greet “Coach Allen” around town in Amarillo. 

Upon retiring, Don turned his focus to one of his lifelong passions: horses. Don was gifted with training horses, and his loved ones fondly remember his horse pens being filled with American Quarter Horses. Don also had an impressive “green thumb” and he spent countless hours planting flowers and harvesting fresh tomatoes and jalapenos from his garden with his cherished wife of 36 years, Rhonda Tidwell Allen. 

Known to his friends as “Big Boy,” Don had a heart of gold and was beloved by those who were fortunate enough to know him. Aside from being a cowboy and his love for animals and gardening, Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing a good game of cards or dominoes. He had a tender heart and special bond with his grandchildren, whom he hosted for weeks every summer when they were young. 

Don’s life will be remembered and treasured by his loving wife, Rhonda, his children, son Greg and wife Amanda, daughter Donna and husband Jim, son Wesley and wife Susan, eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren on the way. 

Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude for the heartfelt love, compassion and care Don received from all of his caregivers, PT team and the administration at Hillside Heights and BSA Hospice.

Visitation with the family will be from 6-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Boulevard. The celebration of life for Don will be held at Church of Christ at the Colonies on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. The burial will follow the service at Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.